When I heard "Bechdel Test" by Isabel Pless in 2022, I was immediately struck by her frank, detail-driven depiction of depression/ennui. I was just as impressed by her 2021 EP, Too Big for the Playground, Too Small for the Big Leagues. Since then, I've been devouring singles and eagerly awaiting her debut album, Workhorse.
So far, I'm loving it. Pless' songwriting, which balances a multitude of emotions and anxieties, sets her apart, and the production is layered and interesting without being generic. Fans of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Clairo will find a lot to love about this album.
Congrats to Isabel Pless, and here's hoping she gets the attention and listeners she deserves!
